I'm a Canadian with American relatives. When I looked up Social Security average benefits a few months ago the stats article stated that the average benefit was $1200/month up to $2200/month, depending on earned income. Plus, there is medi-caid at 65?
In Canada, we have CPP (Canada Pension Plan). Average pension is around $600.00/month that rises up to $1200/month depending on earned income. Plus, at 65...(now raised to 67 and blended in to effect) all citizens receive OAP (Old Age Pension) which I think is around $460/month...past income not a requirement. So, if you are an average wage earner you would receive around $1100/month upon retirement at 65. Other pension plans and or RRSP contributions are an individuals perogative. Of course we have execllent medical coverage as well as most drug costs covered. There are other things like GST rebates, GAIN, etc. It varies province to province.
Many more US citizens enter into retirement with a mortgage than in Canada, so one would need higher benefits down there. However, renting would be the same in either country. It is easy enough to see that if one works and pays off a mortgage on modest/affordable housing and lives in a low tax municipality (no Vancouver or Victoria here) then you could get by just fine on standard and much maligned pensions living a modest lifestyle. A couple of things...Canada's CPP has not been subject to Govt. revenue raids. It is in sound financial condition. SS has been raided and is not sound.
People have to plan for their own retirement, regardless of current Govt. pension schemes. It also helps to live an a shared situation with two people collecting. For example, my wife has also worked a full career so we will receive two of everthing pensions inculding our private pensions which we paid into for most of our careers as well as personal savings, etc.
We can collect CPP at 60 at a reduced rate.
I looked at house with a buddy of mine just yesterday who is thinking of retiring in my rural Vancouver Island valley...(from Whitehorse). You can buy a very nice home here with a view, new roof, and shop, approx $200,000. 1 acre. Rural taxes after the homeowner grant is around $600 per year. Hydro is approx $70.00/month, and house insurance is $700 per year. Heat with wood with hydro back-up. This is very doable.
By the by, when I talk of retirement I do not mean sitting around. My buddy will build aluminum boats and do other fabrication. I do construction when I feel like it and have time to take on work. All I really mean is formal work for employers and customers is over...we are now on the fringes. I have just discovered this year that being on the fringes is a good place to live and an excellent lifestyle. (Stay off lists, too!!)
Paulo